A Frenchman won in front of another this Saturday in Manosque during the third day of the Tour de la Provence.
But the inhabitants of the beautiful medieval city would have preferred the names to be reversed.
Because Julian Alaphilippe (Quick Step), the absolute darling of the public, finished second in a sprint of strong climbers.
But the winner was really the strongest, his compatriot Bryan Coquard, who definitely does not regret having left B&B Hotels in the off-season for Cofidis.
He who had not won the slightest success last year is already two bouquets raised in February.
Which brings his number of victories in his career to the very respectable total of… 47.
As during the second stage of the Étoile de Bessèges on February 3, Coquard did not need anyone to pack the sprint alone, drop off Pierre Latour (Total Énergies) and resist the return of Alaphilippe.
“It's nice to have those legs and that success,” sighs Coquard.
Last year, I was unlucky.
Here is a great introduction.
I sprinted by feeling, throwing myself a little too far.
The team's strategy was to harden the race on the last climb to eliminate as many sprinters as possible.
That's what happened.
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“I am very happy with my recovery”
Julian Alaphilippe, still second, like the day before, in a sprint, recovered six bonus seconds in passing which should have allowed him to put on the leader's black jersey.
Unfortunately for the double world champion, the Italian Filippo Gana (Ineos) managed to take third place, grab four seconds and save his overall leader's tunic for only two seconds.
“The final was fast and nervous, confided Alaphilippe.
I made an effort on the last climb that I never digested.
I knew that Bryan Coquard was one of the favorites for the sprint and his victory is deserved.
For the last day, there won't really be any tactics.
The legs will do the talking on the final climb.
Quintana is in great shape.
I will give the maximum and see.
Anyway, I'm super happy with my recovery.
I lost a week of training due to a virus.
I still feel it but it's true that it could have been much worse.
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